Sports News – Newsletter for November 12, 2010

PCB provisionally blacklists five stars for World Cup 2011

LONDON – Pakistan have provisionally agreed not to select five players for next year’s World Cup on the subcontinent as they seek to come clean on match-fixing charges against some of their stars.

Former Test captain Salman Butt, fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer, wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal and leg spinner Danish Kaneria have been blacklisted … Original article on : PCB provisionally blacklists five stars for World Cup 2011.

Stuart Broad could win Ashes for England like dad Chris: Mark Waugh

SYDNEY – Stuart Broad could win Ashes for England like his dad Chris did in 1986, fears former Australian middle-order batsman Mark Waugh.

England’s last triumph in Australia in 1986-87 was decorated by three centuries by Chris Broad, including 112 in the innings victory, which wrapped up the urn in Melbourne at Christmas. Mike Gatting was … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Stuart Broad could win Ashes for England like dad Chris: Mark Waugh.

Swann spins England into control against South Australia as openers too come good

ADELAIDE – England off-spinner Graeme Swann’s four-wicket haul gave his team a dominant hand against South Australia on day two of the second Ashes warm-up match in Adelaide.

Swann bagged four wickets for 68 runs to dismiss the hosts for 221, and help England chalk up a first-innings lead of 67.

Swann was equally supported by James …. Original source  : Swann spins England into control against South Australia as openers too come good.

Hamilton should not be ruled out of F1 title fight: McLaren chief

LONDON – McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh has said that it would be foolhardy to rule out 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton from the Formula One title race this year, and added the racing star would be at his relentless best for Sunday’s title-showdown race outside Abu Dhabi.

Fernando Alonso leads with 246 points, Mark Webber 238, Sebastian … Read more >>.

China conducts 2000 dope tests for Asian Games

GUANGZHOU – In a bid to provide dope-free Asian Games, the China Anti-Doping Agency has conducted nearly 2,000 tests.

A total of 1,950 tests, including 120 blood tests, have been conducted since August, Xinhua reported.
Every single member of the 1,000-strong Chinese delegation for the Games has been tested.
“We hope that China …. Source  : China conducts 2000 dope tests for Asian Games.

China to dominate Asian Games table tennis

GUANGZHOU – Defending men’s team champions China are expected to meet little challenge in the group stage while the women have a tougher draw in the table tennis event of the Asian Games.

The hosts are top-seeded and will play Qatar, North Korea and Laos in Group A in the men’s team event.
… Read more »».

India to host four major hockey events in three years

MONTREUX – The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has allotted four major events to India in the next three years. The Netherlands will host the 2014 mens and womens World Cup.

India will conduct the 2011 mens Champions trophy (Nov 26-Dec 4), the 2012 mens and womens Olympic qualifier (February), the 2013 mens and womens junior …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Tea scoreboard: India vs New Zealand, Second Test, Day One

HYDERABAD – The following is the scoreboard at tea on the opening day of the second cricket Test between India and New Zealand here Friday.

New Zealand first innings
Tim McIntosh batting 55
Brendon McCullum c Dhoni b Sreesanth 4
Martin Guptill lbw b Ojha 85
Ross Taylor …. Source  : Tea scoreboard: India vs New Zealand, Second Test, Day One.

New Zealand 159/2 at tea against India

HYDERABAD – New Zealand were 159 for two at tea on the first day of the second cricket Test against India here Friday.

Tim McIntosh (55) and Ross Taylor (4) were batting when the break was taken.
Martin Guptill (85) was the only wicket to fall in the second session, adjudged lbw off Pragyan Ojha.
…. Read the original article  : New Zealand 159/2 at tea against India.

“Troubled players’ messiah” English village team keen to recruit Pak keeper Zulqarnain

LONDON – An English village cricket team- famous for offering support to players with off-field problems- has expressed its desire to recruit the troubled Pakistani wicketkeeper, Zulqarnain Haider, for the 2011 season.

After hearing of Zulqarnain’s decision to seek asylum in the United Kingdom, Lashings World XI Chairman David Folb extended ‘an open invitation’ to the … Read more >>>.

Zulqarnain Haider Receives Offer From English Club

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM (GaeaTimes.com)- An English village cricket club has given an invitation to Pakistani cricketer Zulqarnain Haider to join the club after the 24-year-old player announced his retirement from international cricket supposedly to make a stand against match-fixing. The Lashings World XI made the offer on Friday saying that it would love to … Original source on Gaea Times at : Zulqarnain Haider Receives Offer From English Club.

Alonso dismisses Button’s tainted F1 champion fears

LONDON – Ferarri’s Fernando Alonso has dismissed claims that he will be a tainted Formula One champion if he claims this year’s title with less than seven points.

Alonso will bag the drivers’ crown if he finishes second in Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

“I think winning by seven, or one or 25 points is … Read : Alonso dismisses Button’s tainted F1 champion fears.

Pak team’s morale “pretty good” despite wicketkeeper Haider’s sudden exit: Waqar

DUBAI – The Pakistan cricket team’s morale is “pretty good” despite the chaos and controversies surrounding it, and the sudden departure of wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider to England, the team’s coach Waqar Younis has said.

“Morale is pretty good. What happened in the last four, months five months, it’s not ideal, not what we want, but we … Original source on Gaea Times at : Pak team’s morale “pretty good” despite wicketkeeper Haider’s sudden exit: Waqar.

Johnson wants England skipper Andrew Strauss to be his bunny

SYDNEY – To dominate the England batting line up, Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson will attempt to turn Andrew Strauss into his bunny during the Ashes series.

Johnson said England would disintegrate if Strauss failed at the top of the order.

“Look, I think if we can go after their captain, Strauss, I think if you can …. Read the original article  : Johnson wants England skipper Andrew Strauss to be his bunny.

Injured pacer Tait aims to get into Oz World Cup squad

SYDNEY – Pacer Shaun Tait aims to get into the Australian World Cup squad by returning from surgery in January.

Tait underwent corrective surgery on his right elbow a month ago, the second time he’s needed an operation on the troublesome joint.

He will return in January for the domestic Twenty20 series and hopes to win a … Read more »».

England will dominate world cricket for next 15 years: Collingwood

SYDNEY – England batsman Paul Collingwood has given his team’s plans to dominate world cricket for the next 15 years in the manner the Australian side did.

Collingwood well remembers the Australian side, having Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and company, and believes his English teammates can reach the same lofty heights.

“The team that we played against … Read more >>>.

Strict curfew ensures that no South African player can do a Haider on tour: CSA boss

JOHANNESBURG – No South African player can slip out the team hotel during away tours, as was done by Pakistani wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider in the midst of an ODI series against the Proteas in Dubai earlier this week, Cricket South Africa Chief Executive Gerald Majola has said.

“There is a curfew and once you are in … Original source on Gaea Times at : Strict curfew ensures that no South African player can do a Haider on tour: CSA boss.

OCA president arrives for biggest ever Asian Games

GUANGZHOU – Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), arrived in Guangzhou for the grand opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games.

Yu Zaiqing, vice minister of the general administration of sports of China, and Guangzhou vice mayor Xu Ruisheng greeted the OCA president from Kuwait and his entourage at … Read this article on Gaea Times at : OCA president arrives for biggest ever Asian Games.

Security tightened in Guangzhou for Asian Games

GUANGZHOU – With some 103,000 police officers on the prowl, China has taken every possible step to ensure top security at the Asian Games that starts here Friday and ends Nov 27.

Guangdong Province, where Guangzhou is located, has signed security cooperation agreements with six neighbouring provinces and autonomous regions to beef up security, Xinhua … Original source on Gaea Times at : Security tightened in Guangzhou for Asian Games.

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Winner Saina Nehwal On A High

GUANGZHOU, CHINA (GaeaTimes.com)- For Indian badminton star Saina Nehwal, this week has surely been a hectic one. Just days after being announced as the winner of the much-coveted Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, the star shuttler is now gearing up for the Asian Games 2010 which kicked off with a grand opening ceremony on … Original article on : Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Winner Saina Nehwal On A High.